This guide walks you through selecting the right hosting plan, configuring your order, and completing payment. You'll learn how to choose between Personal and Business hosting, add a domain name, and activate your account.
Prerequisites
- A HOSTDOG account (if you don't have one yet, see How to create your HOSTDOG account)
- A domain name (you can register one during the order process or use an existing domain)
- Payment method ready (PayPal, credit/debit card, or bank transfer)
Choosing your hosting plan
HOSTDOG offers two main shared hosting tiers designed for different needs:
| Plan Type | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Shared Hosting | Blogs, portfolios, small business sites | From 1GB storage, 1 website, unlimited bandwidth, 99.9% uptime |
| Business Shared Hosting | E-commerce, multiple sites, high-traffic projects | 4 vCPU, 4GB RAM, multiple websites, 99.95% uptime |
Both plans include free SSL certificates, daily automated backups, and 24/7 support. All hosting runs on 100% renewable energy.
Go to Personal Shared Hosting or Business Shared Hosting depending on your needs. Review the available plans and their features.
Click Order Now on the plan that fits your requirements. You'll be asked to choose a billing cycle (monthly, annually, or multi-year). Longer billing cycles typically offer better value.
You have three options:
- Register a new domain — Enter your desired domain name (e.g.,
example.com) and select a TLD. HOSTDOG offers 750+ TLDs and is an EETT-accredited.grregistrar. - Transfer an existing domain — If you already own a domain elsewhere, you can transfer it to HOSTDOG during the order process.
- Use an existing domain — If you already have a domain registered with HOSTDOG or plan to point an external domain later, select this option.
The order summary shows your selected hosting plan, domain (if applicable), and billing cycle. You can add optional extras such as:
- Domain privacy protection (WHOIS privacy)
- Additional SSL certificates (free SNI SSL is included by default)
- Premium support tiers
Review the total cost, including any applicable VAT (24% for Greek customers).
Click Checkout to proceed to payment. If you're not already logged in, you'll be prompted to log in or create a HOSTDOG account. Select your payment method:
- PayPal — Instant activation
- Credit/debit card — Processed via secure payment gateway
- Bank transfer — Activation after payment confirmation (1-2 business days)
After completing payment, you'll receive an order confirmation email immediately.
Within a few minutes of payment confirmation, you'll receive a welcome email containing:
- Your hosting control panel login URL and credentials
- Nameserver information (
ns1.hostdog.grandns2.hostdog.gr) - FTP/SFTP connection details
- Next steps for uploading your website
What happens next?
With your hosting plan active, you can now:
- Point your domain to HOSTDOG — Follow the guide on how to point your domain to HOSTDOG if you registered or transferred a domain.
- Upload your website files — Use the File Manager in your control panel or connect via FTP/SFTP.
- Request a free website migration — If you're moving from another host, see how to request a free website migration.
- Install WordPress or other apps — Use the one-click installer (Softaculous) available in your control panel.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can upgrade from Personal to Business hosting at any time through your client area. The price difference is prorated based on your remaining billing period.
Yes, all shared hosting plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied within the first 30 days, contact support for a full refund (domain registration fees are non-refundable).
No, you can register a domain during the hosting order process. However, if you already own a domain or prefer to register it separately, you can do that too and point it to your hosting later.